François Hollande holds talks with UN’s next leader

United Nations – Statement by M. François Hollande, President of the Republic, following his meeting with Mr António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General-designate (excerpts)

Paris, 14 November 2016

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I was very pleased to welcome António Guterres, who – in addition to being a personal friend, a friend of France – is the United Nations Secretary-General-designate and will assume his responsibilities in January.

I’ll also have the opportunity to welcome Mr Ban Ki-moon, because he too will be coming to Paris in a few days’ time, and I’m going to see him again in Marrakesh tomorrow for COP22.

The Secretary-General-designate, António Guterres, and I started discussing the issues he will necessarily have to deal with in the coming weeks and months, and you’re aware of them: namely, the situations we’re currently focusing our efforts on, be they in the Middle East, Syria, Iraq or Africa – wherever the United Nations can play a role. I’m not forgetting Libya.

There are also the major issues of the climate, development, and ensuring that this organization, which is so useful for peace and progress, can continue playing its role. That’s why France was very pleased that António Guterres could take on that eminent responsibility. (…)./.